Shahin Akhtar
The makers of “Udaipur Files” have moved the Supreme Court on 13th July, 2025, against the Delhi High Court’s order halting the film’s release. The movie, based on the 2022 murder of tailor Kanhaiya Lal in Udaipur, was set to premiere on July 11, 2025, but was halted by the Delhi High Court’s directive.
The Delhi High Court’s order came in response to petitions filed by Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind President Maulana Arshad Madani and others, who claimed that the film’s release could disturb communal harmony and pose a threat to public order. The petitioners argued that certain scenes in the movie vilify Muslims and could lead to further tensions.
A Division Bench of Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Anish Dayal passed the interim order, directing the petitioners to approach the Central government within two days with their grievance. The Court also stated that once the petitioner approaches the Central government with a revision petition, it shall be considered and decided within a week after giving the producer an opportunity to be heard.
The Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) had cleared the film for release after 55 cuts were made. The petitioners alleged that the film retained content that was objectionable in nature. The High Court had directed the producer to arrange a screening of the movie and the trailer for the counsel appearing in the matter.
Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Madani, strongly condemned the film, labeling it as destructive rather than creative. The High Court’s decision to halt the film’s release after a thorough hearing led the producers to seek relief from the Supreme Court. The producers argue that the stay order is unjustified, given the CBFC’s certification and the film’s thematic relevance. They claim that the High Court’s decision violates their fundamental rights and that the film’s release should not be stayed without sufficient grounds.
The Supreme Court is set to consider the plea within a couple of days. Gaurav Bhatia, representing film producers urged Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Anish Dayal bench for an expedited hearing. The Court’s decision will determine the fate of the film’s release and the balance between artistic expression and public order concerns.
Bench: Chief Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Anish Dayal
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